Send large files with iCloud Mail beyond its 20 MB attachment limit
iCloud Mail cannot send large family and work files as attachments. The attachment limit is about 20 MB. A 48 MB video exceeds that limit. An album adds to the total size.
Apple offers a file transfer feature called Mail Drop in its Mail app. In that case, Apple stores the file. The recipient may also need to use that system. This page does not cover Mail Drop.
| Method | 72 MB transfer |
|---|---|
| iCloud attachment | Exceeds the limit |
| Mail Drop | Apple’s service, not ours |
| iCloud Drive | Your quota and permissions |
| iPhone chat | May reduce the video’s size |
| Link | Unchanged, no account needed |
The example above includes a family video, an album, a cover image, a list, and a note.
Mail Drop vs. a download link
We do not enable Mail Drop. We do not set its retention period. We do not require the recipient to have an Apple account either. The link opens in a browser. Files can also be downloaded on Windows and Android.
| Mail Drop | SendGB link | |
|---|---|---|
| Service provider | Apple | SendGB |
| Where it opens | Usually Apple Mail | Any browser |
| Account | Apple’s account system | The recipient downloads from the link and does not create an account |
| Quota | Managed by Apple | Does not use iCloud storage |
| Availability | Set by Apple | Up to 250 MB for 90 days, larger transfers for 7 days |
Send the password separately from the link. If you entered your email address, you receive one notification when the download starts.
Keep your video from being compressed on iPhone
An iPhone may reduce the size of a video sent in a chat. Email attachments are also capped at 20 MB. Neither option is suitable for sending a video your family wants to keep. The MOV file should download unchanged.
| Sending in a chat | Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | May be reduced | Stays at 48 MB |
| Album | Sent individually, compressed | Included in the same transfer |
| Recipient’s phone | Smaller copy in the gallery | Downloaded file |
| Our role | We do not post in that chat | We do not compress files |
For album organization, see sending photo albums. For Gmail’s 25 MB limit, see sending files with Gmail.
A 72 MB transfer does not use your iCloud storage
A transfer of this size is free. It stays available for up to 90 days. It does not fill your iCloud storage. A vacation archive over 5 GB exceeds the free transfer limit.
| Total size | iCloud attachment | SendGB |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 MB | May fit within the limit | A link works too |
| 72 MB example | Cannot send | Free |
| 2 GB | Cannot send | Free |
| Over 5 GB | Cannot send | SendGB Extra or SendGB Exceed |
| Using iCloud storage | Uses your quota | Not required |
Do not attach the file in iCloud Mail. Send the link.
How to send
- 1
Add your file
Add the video that may exceed iCloud’s attachment limit to the upload area. A 72 MB transfer is free. No registration is required.
- 2
Paste the link into Mail
Create a new message. Do not attach the file using the paperclip icon. Do not select Mail Drop either. Paste the link into the message body. Send the password separately from the link.
- 3
The recipient downloads
A browser on an iPhone or computer is enough. The recipient downloads from the link and does not create an Apple account. The link stays available for up to 90 days.
What happens to your file?
- Videos and albums are not compressed.
- The file is not stored in your iCloud storage.
- The recipient does not need an Apple account.
- If you entered your email address, you receive one notification when the download starts.
What we don’t do
- We do not run Mail Drop. It is an Apple feature.
- We do not increase your iCloud storage quota.
- Files over 5 GB exceed the free transfer limit.
- A download notification does not mean the video has been watched.
Frequently asked questions
What is the iCloud Mail attachment size limit?
Attachments are capped at about 20 MB. A 48 MB video exceeds that limit. Apple may change the limit. Do not try to force a large file into an attachment.
What is Mail Drop, and is it your service?
No. Mail Drop is Apple’s large file transfer service. Files are stored by Apple. Recipients often need to use Apple Mail. We do not enable or disable this feature. A SendGB link opens in any browser.
Does the recipient need an iPhone?
No. Recipients can download on Windows, Android, or while using another email service. They download from the link and do not create an Apple or SendGB account.
Will this use my iCloud storage?
The link is not stored in your iCloud storage. If you upload the file to iCloud Drive yourself, it uses your quota there. That is separate from a SendGB transfer.
Will the video be compressed?
No. The MOV file downloads unchanged. An iPhone chat or email app may separately reduce the video’s size. Do not attach the file in those apps. Paste the link.
Can I send an album with one link?
Yes, if you add it to the same transfer. Folder names are preserved when the entire transfer is downloaded. Clicking a single photo does not recreate the album.
Where should I send the password?
Do not put it in the message containing the link. Use a separate message or a phone call.
How long do files stay available?
This transfer is under 250 MB, so it stays available for up to 90 days. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Apple sets Mail Drop’s retention period. Our retention period is separate. SendGB Extra offers longer storage. Annual pricing starts at €29.90.
Will I receive a download notification?
Yes, if you entered your email address. With email delivery, you are notified once per recipient. With link delivery, you are notified once per transfer. This notification does not confirm that the video has been watched.
Can I send a 5 GB vacation video?
The free limit is 5 GB. Transfers below that limit require no registration. Larger transfers require SendGB Extra or SendGB Exceed. They will not fit in an iCloud attachment.
Send a download link instead of an iCloud Mail attachment
A 72 MB transfer exceeds iCloud’s attachment limit. Send a download link. The recipient does not need an Apple account.
Start sending